Somewhere Over the Border

Somewhere Over the Border is a DC-premiere musical by Brian Quijada, directed by Raymond O. Caldwell. Inspired by Quijada’s mother’s immigration from El Salvador to the United States in the 1970s, the production reimagines The Wizard of Oz through Reina, who travels north toward the Mexican border in hopes of creating a better life for herself and the young son she left behind.

Along the way, Reina finds companions, confronts danger, and draws strength from her memories. The musical combines joyful fantasy with the difficult realities of migration, using cumbia, Mexican mariachi boleros, rock, hip hop, and other musical styles to explore resilience, courage, and the shared humanity of immigrant communities. Quijada is the award-winning co-creator and performer of Mexodus, which premiered at Mosaic before subsequent Off-Broadway engagements.

When: September 10–October 18, 2026

Showtimes: September 10–12 at 7:30 p.m.; September 13 at 3 p.m.; September 17–18 at 7:30 p.m.; September 20 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; September 24–25 at 7:30 p.m.; September 26 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; September 27 at 3 p.m.; October 1 at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; October 2 at 7:30 p.m.; October 3 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; October 4 at 3 p.m.; October 8–9 at 7:30 p.m.; October 10 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; October 11 at 3 p.m.; October 15–16 at 7:30 p.m.; October 17 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and October 18 at 3 p.m.

Venue: Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, D.C.

Tickets: Price not available

Creators: Written by Brian Quijada and directed by Raymond O. Caldwell.

Run time: Not specified.

Ages: Not specified.

Content warning: The production includes prop weapons and loud sound effects featuring gunfire.